Olivia’s POV
God, I wished I could wipe that smirk off his face with a single punch. My wolf pushed hard inside me, but I forced her down. I couldn’t risk losing control now. I straightened, lifting my chin, letting my voice come out calm. "We are not yet married, Lord Frederick." For a heartbeat, his smirk faltered—then returned, wider, sharper. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lazily against the polished wood. It seemed like this was a habit of his.
"I’m not asking you to pack your things and move in, Olivia," he said smoothly, his eyes locked on mine. "Not yet. That day will come soon enough." His tone made my skin crawl, but he went on, calm and so sure of himself.
"All I ask is tonight. Stay here, under my roof. Learn the walls you will one day walk as their mistress. Know me, as I know you." He tilted his head, his voice dropping into something softer. "That’s how it begins."
I kept my face blank while my fingers curled into the fabric of my dress under the table. This man was up to no good but I’m up for it... two can play this game. "Okay." I shrugged, crossing my legs and leaning back, feigning composure when I was anything but calm.
Frederick gave me a fake smile before turning back to the scattered papers on his desk. His focus shifted instantly, pale hands gliding as he scribbled and signed, his eyes scanning documents as though I wasn’t even present. I stayed still, though my gaze wandered around the office.
"Could it be here?" My wolf whispered inside me, "The vessel. It has to be somewhere close. Somewhere he trusts." I scanned the shelves behind him, lined with old books and strange jars. The carvings on the door. The tall chest in the corner with iron locks. My heart quickened.
If his vessel was here, I had to find it. I had to search, to look into every shadow of this mansion. Because the moment I discovered it, Frederick’s power would no longer be untouchable.
"What are you looking for?" Frederick asked suddenly. Though shock jolted me that he had caught me staring, I masked it with calm and slowly turned back to him. "I was checking if there’s any decaying body around," I replied smoothly, forcing a faint smirk. "Who knows... I might be the next victim."
His pen stilled in his hand. Then, with deliberate slowness, he lifted his head. His eyes locked onto mine, sharp and probing. For a long moment, he said nothing. Then his lips curved into a faint smirk.
"Hailee lived here for eleven years," he said softly, almost taunting. "Did we kill her?"
My wolf stiffened inside me, her hackles raised. Frederick leaned back in his chair, his fingers now lazily drumming against the desk again. "What makes you think we would kill you, Olivia? If she survived here under our roof, so will you."
My jaw clenched, but I forced my expression to remain blank. He went on, his tone calm, almost bored, as though we were discussing something ordinary. "And besides... I do not drink recklessly. Not anymore. I have what I need—blood from the hospitals. Fresh, clean. No need to waste."
The way he said it made my stomach twist, but I didn’t let him see my unease. I sat back in my chair, crossing my arms. Frederick sighed, closing the file. "I should take you to Mother... she is dying to meet you." He said while standing to his feet.
I froze for a second, my brows furrowing. "Your... mother?"
He arched a brow, tilting his head as if I’d asked something foolish. "Yes. Did you imagine I was born from stone?" His lips curved again with that annoying smirk of his. "Even monsters have mothers, Olivia."
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